Program Summary

NUTRITION EDUCATION/COACHING - Certificate of Achievement

The Cuesta College Nutrition certificate program offers students a variety of interesting and challenging courses for students to learn about chemicals and nutrients in food and their effects on the human body and the world.  The study of nutritional science contributes to preparing students for careers as nutritionists, registered dietitians (RD), food scientists, or other dietetics professionals. Cuesta College offers a Nutrition certificate that provides a broad foundation in a practical and personally applicable exposure to a variety of scientific areas of nutrition such as chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, and biology. Popular topics include microbial pathogens, environmental contaminants, nutrigenomics, macronutrient balance, energy metabolism, obesity, global issues, biochemistry of exercise, and micronutrient and phytochemical utilization. Students in the program learn how the scientific method and process contributes to nutritional requirements and how nutrients function from a cellular to more practical level, and then apply this knowledge to their own health. The program ultimately helps students understand the role of nutrition in disease prevention throughout the lifecycle and as an impact on society as a whole. Select Cuesta College Nutrition courses meet college requirements in AA GE and are offered in both face-to-face and Distance Education modalities. Select Nutrition courses are also a part of 10 degrees and certificates at Cuesta College. Students finishing this certificate will be better prepared to educate and coach peers one-on-one, give practical advice on nutrition when combined with personal training certifications, and work for community partners in nutrition education entry level jobs.

Career Opportunities
The study of nutritional science contributes to preparing students for careers as nutritionists, registered dietitians (RD), food scientists, or other dietetics professionals.and Distance Education modalities. Students finishing this certificate will be better prepared to educate and coach peers one-on-one, give practical advice on nutrition when combined with personal training certifications, and work for community partners in nutrition education entry level jobs.
Core Courses (4 credits)
Units: 4.0-7.0
 
3.0
NUTR 210
INTRODUCTION TO NUTRITION SCIENCE
3.0
OR
NUTR 211
NUTRITION FOR NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
3.0
 
1.0-4.0
NUTR 252
WORK EXPERIENCE IN NUTRITION
1.0-4.0
OR
NUTR 240
PERSONALIZED NUTRITION PLANNING FOR LIFETIME WELLNESS
1.0
Specialty courses (Choose 4 courses for 12 credits)
Units: 12.0
NUTR 218
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
3.0
NUTR 222
CULTURAL ASPECTS OF FOOD
3.0
NUTR 230
NUTRITION FOR FITNESS AND SPORT
3.0
NUTR 232
PRINCIPLES OF FOOD WITH LAB
3.0
NUTR 249
PLANT-BASED NUTRITION
3.0
Total: 16.0-19.0
Program Outcomes
Explain the basis of the scientific method as it is used in developing hypotheses and theories, then apply the scientific method-based research, such as in peer-reviewed intervention, epidemiological, lab, and case studies, to the critical evaluation of nutrition-related literature and media, thus differentiating between proven scientific based research and myth.
Student self assessment surveys Diet Analysis Projects
Develop a basic understanding of the basic chemical structure of the six classes of nutrients and the substances therein; their action, interaction, and balance in relation to health and disease; and the process by which the human body ingests, digests, absorbs, transports, utilizes and excretes food substances.
Student self assessment surveys Diet Analysis Projects
Judge the effect of nutrition, hydration, and lifestyle factors that contribute to chronic diseases (and leading causes of death in the United States), then establish goals and assess one’s own diet for nutritional adequacy, practically apply lifestyle changes, through food label-reading, food safety practices, and altered dietary choices, which are personalized for the individual’s nutrient and phytochemical needs based on health status, body weight differences and goals, optimal sports performance, differing lifecycle stages, and differing environmental conditions.
Student self assessment surveys Diet Analysis Projects
Evaluate food customs of a specific culture and incorporate sources based on reliability and credibility; Assess the stigmatization, prejudice and/or discrimination experienced by individuals or groups who choose to adhere to non Western and/or non dominant food practices and recommend strategies to facilitate their acceptance.
Student self assessment surveys Diet Analysis Projects
Evaluate and analyze the diets of peers and give thoughtful and practical advice for improvement.
Dietary analysis scenarios and activities.